One of the biggest TV shows in the history of entertainment, Seinfeld is still as famous as ever. Created and starring Jerry Seinfeld as a fictional character, it was the series’ witty writing and impeccable comedic timing that made it as popular as it is now. No less than a phenomenon, the series eventually inspired a bunch of lingo and even a curse.
Seinfeld
Coined after the extremely famous lead actors of the hit NBC show failed to have any successful shows following the end of Seinfeld, the Seinfeld curse is a term specifically used to refer to the feats of the three Seinfeld actors- Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, and Michael Richards following the end of the show. And among them all Louis-Dreyfus fought particularly hard to break it, only for her show to brutally crash.
When Julia Louis-Dreyfus Tried to Break the Seinfeld Curse Julia Louis-Dreyfus in Seinfeld
Julia...
Seinfeld
Coined after the extremely famous lead actors of the hit NBC show failed to have any successful shows following the end of Seinfeld, the Seinfeld curse is a term specifically used to refer to the feats of the three Seinfeld actors- Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, and Michael Richards following the end of the show. And among them all Louis-Dreyfus fought particularly hard to break it, only for her show to brutally crash.
When Julia Louis-Dreyfus Tried to Break the Seinfeld Curse Julia Louis-Dreyfus in Seinfeld
Julia...
- 4/17/2024
- by Maria Sultan
- FandomWire
Ayo Edebiri‘s upgrade to lead for Season 2 of “The Bear” has been an unqualified success. She won the Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award for Best Comedy Actress in January, along with the Screen Actors Guild Awards’ single comedy actress prize. In the midst of all that, she took home the Best Comedy Supporting Actress statuette for Season 1 at the delayed Emmy ceremony. And now Edebiri is the odds-on favorite to win the Best Comedy Actress Emmy for Season 2 in September, which would put her on a short list of women who’ve won both comedy lead and supporting trophies.
Since the categories were standardized in 1966, five ladies have completed the sweep. The first to achieve it was Valerie Harper, who three-peated in supporting from 1971-73 for her turn as Rhoda Morgenstern on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” before she headlined her own spin-off, “Rhoda,” for which she won...
Since the categories were standardized in 1966, five ladies have completed the sweep. The first to achieve it was Valerie Harper, who three-peated in supporting from 1971-73 for her turn as Rhoda Morgenstern on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” before she headlined her own spin-off, “Rhoda,” for which she won...
- 3/26/2024
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
The WGA East has penciled in Emmy winner Wanda Sykes for its 2024 Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence. She’ll be presented with the honor during the East Coast presentation of the strike-delayed Writers Guild Awards on April 14 at the Edison Ballroom in Manhattan.
Sykes, a 17-time Emmy nominee who co-created, writes for and stars on Netflix’s The Upshaws, has nearly 90 films and credits stretching from The Chris Rock Show and The Drew Carey Show and her Wanda at Large to The New Adventures of Old Christine, Black-ish and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Her most recent work includes The Other Two and History of the World: Part II, also writing for the latter.
Her writing credits also include Wanda at Large, The Wanda Sykes Show, Premium Blend, several stand-up specials and the 2002 Oscars.
“Wanda Sykes is a master storyteller with a heart of gold,” Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, President of WGA East,...
Sykes, a 17-time Emmy nominee who co-created, writes for and stars on Netflix’s The Upshaws, has nearly 90 films and credits stretching from The Chris Rock Show and The Drew Carey Show and her Wanda at Large to The New Adventures of Old Christine, Black-ish and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Her most recent work includes The Other Two and History of the World: Part II, also writing for the latter.
Her writing credits also include Wanda at Large, The Wanda Sykes Show, Premium Blend, several stand-up specials and the 2002 Oscars.
“Wanda Sykes is a master storyteller with a heart of gold,” Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, President of WGA East,...
- 3/19/2024
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
A fascinating combination of stars is coming down the chimney for the family comedy The Man With The Bag. Who better to lead a festive film with wholesome fun than action behemoths Arnold Schwarzenegger and Alan Ritchson? The Man With The Bag is Schwarzenegger’s first feature since wrapping his part for Kung Fury 2, while Ritchson’s cache is overflowing after starring in Reacher, with projects like Playdate, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, and Motor City on the way.
Adam Shankman directs The Man With The Bag from a script by Allan Rice. The holiday-themed project hails from Amazon MGM Studios. According to Deadline‘s exclusive report, the logline for The Man With the Bag reads: “When Santa’s magic bag is stolen, he turns to his naughty list to find Vance, a former thief, to help him get it back. Along with his daughter, Santa, and a group of misfit elves,...
Adam Shankman directs The Man With The Bag from a script by Allan Rice. The holiday-themed project hails from Amazon MGM Studios. According to Deadline‘s exclusive report, the logline for The Man With the Bag reads: “When Santa’s magic bag is stolen, he turns to his naughty list to find Vance, a former thief, to help him get it back. Along with his daughter, Santa, and a group of misfit elves,...
- 3/12/2024
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
For just about every decade that there has been a sitcom on television, it’s been easy to identify those stars who shine bright as the current face of comedy. In the ’50s, it was Jackie Gleason and Lucille Ball. In the ’60s, it was Dick Van Dyke and Andy Griffith. The ’70s brought us Bob Newhart, Mary Tyler Moore and Bea Arthur, followed by Sherman Hemsley, Bill Cosby and Michael J. Fox in the ’80s, Jerry Seinfeld, Roseanne Barr and the cast of Friends in the ’90s, Charlie Sheen and Bernie Mac in the early aughts and Tina Fey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jim Parsons in 2006 and beyond.
But ever since Veep and The Big Bang Theory went off the air in 2019, the spotlight has remained surprisingly vacant — the result of an expanding and ever-changing business in which multi-camera sitcoms have become vestiges of the past while contemporary comedies have...
But ever since Veep and The Big Bang Theory went off the air in 2019, the spotlight has remained surprisingly vacant — the result of an expanding and ever-changing business in which multi-camera sitcoms have become vestiges of the past while contemporary comedies have...
- 8/11/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
You know Michaela Watkins, right? She was on “Saturday Night Live” and was the star of “Casual” and “Enlightened.” You’ve heard her voice work on “Big Mouth” and “Robot Chicken,” and she was in indie gems like “In a World,” “Sword of Trust,” and “Thanks for Sharing.” You know her from somewhere.
“I get to work all the time, and nobody really knows who I am,” she recently told IndieWire. And, as Watkins makes clear, that’s no complaint. She’s got a great acting career, one that started quite late by Hollywood standards. A former member of improv troupe The Groundlings, she spent a decade bumping around in single-episode, minor-role stints before spending a year as an “SNL” featured player in 2008.
From there, she spent a season on “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” starring opposite another former SNL star, Julia Louis-Dreyfus — who’s now her co-star in...
“I get to work all the time, and nobody really knows who I am,” she recently told IndieWire. And, as Watkins makes clear, that’s no complaint. She’s got a great acting career, one that started quite late by Hollywood standards. A former member of improv troupe The Groundlings, she spent a decade bumping around in single-episode, minor-role stints before spending a year as an “SNL” featured player in 2008.
From there, she spent a season on “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” starring opposite another former SNL star, Julia Louis-Dreyfus — who’s now her co-star in...
- 5/17/2023
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Julia Louis-Dreyfus became a comedy icon for playing Elaine Benes on nine seasons of NBC’s “Seinfeld,” but the role wasn’t completely fulfilling for her when the show first got off the ground. Speaking to The Daily Beast, Louis-Dreyfus revealed she regularly urged series creators Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld to give her character more to do on the show.
“Well, I never really approached it from the perspective of my gender, per se. I wanted to just play ball with everybody,” Louis-Dreyfus said about the role. “I’m not going to lie, in the beginning, I didn’t always have a lot to do in certain episodes. And I would go to Larry and Jerry multiple times and say, ‘Hey, you guys, write me more, I need to be in this show more.’ That’s what I just kept doing. And they did.”
“But you see, they didn...
“Well, I never really approached it from the perspective of my gender, per se. I wanted to just play ball with everybody,” Louis-Dreyfus said about the role. “I’m not going to lie, in the beginning, I didn’t always have a lot to do in certain episodes. And I would go to Larry and Jerry multiple times and say, ‘Hey, you guys, write me more, I need to be in this show more.’ That’s what I just kept doing. And they did.”
“But you see, they didn...
- 5/17/2023
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
Julia Louis-Dreyfus doesn’t have time for “ridiculous” rumors surrounding a “Seinfeld” curse.
The “Veep” Emmy winner and “You Hurt My Feelings” actress criticized the concept of the “curse” perpetuated by media outlets following the “Seinfeld” stars’ respective career trajectories after the hit NBC series. Louis-Dreyfus, Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, and Michael Richards allegedly did not recreate the same level of fame as they did in the peak of the beloved show.
“It was invented by the media,” Louis-Dreyfus told Rolling Stone about the supposed curse. “They thought it was clever. You don’t need me to prove it wrong, it was ridiculous! It made no sense. I was amazed that it had legs, because it was so moronic. I don’t know how else to say it!”
She added, “I think any time a project ends, it’s gutting for me, and that’s true of movies and TV shows.
The “Veep” Emmy winner and “You Hurt My Feelings” actress criticized the concept of the “curse” perpetuated by media outlets following the “Seinfeld” stars’ respective career trajectories after the hit NBC series. Louis-Dreyfus, Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, and Michael Richards allegedly did not recreate the same level of fame as they did in the peak of the beloved show.
“It was invented by the media,” Louis-Dreyfus told Rolling Stone about the supposed curse. “They thought it was clever. You don’t need me to prove it wrong, it was ridiculous! It made no sense. I was amazed that it had legs, because it was so moronic. I don’t know how else to say it!”
She added, “I think any time a project ends, it’s gutting for me, and that’s true of movies and TV shows.
- 5/10/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Julia Louis-Dreyfus has some thoughts on the so-called Seinfeld curse, the idea that the cast of the hit sitcom was unable to find success after the show ended.
However, Louis-Dreyfus proved that there was no such curse starring on Emmy-winning shows like The New Adventures of Old Christine and Veep.
“It was invented by the media,” Louis-Dreyfus told Rolling Stone in an interview. “They thought it was clever. You don’t need me to prove it wrong, it was ridiculous! It made no sense. I was amazed that it had legs, because it was so moronic. I don’t know how else to say it!”
The alleged curse was fueled by the short-lived projects of some of its cast members after Seinfeld ended its successful run on NBC after 9 seasons. Louis-Dreyfus went on to star in Watching Ellie for the peacock network in 2002. The first season of the single-camera comedy...
However, Louis-Dreyfus proved that there was no such curse starring on Emmy-winning shows like The New Adventures of Old Christine and Veep.
“It was invented by the media,” Louis-Dreyfus told Rolling Stone in an interview. “They thought it was clever. You don’t need me to prove it wrong, it was ridiculous! It made no sense. I was amazed that it had legs, because it was so moronic. I don’t know how else to say it!”
The alleged curse was fueled by the short-lived projects of some of its cast members after Seinfeld ended its successful run on NBC after 9 seasons. Louis-Dreyfus went on to star in Watching Ellie for the peacock network in 2002. The first season of the single-camera comedy...
- 5/10/2023
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Julia Louis-Dreyfus said in a recent interview with Rolling Stone that the media invented the “Seinfeld curse,” a term which was used to describe the alleged lack of success for “Seinfeld” stars Jerry Seinfeld, Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards and Jason Alexander following the end of the iconic NBC sitcom.
“I think any time a project ends, it’s gutting for me,” Louis-Dreyfus said. “And that’s true of movies and TV shows. There is a focus and a camaraderie that’s very much present when you’re working hard on a project that you believe in, and when the circus leaves town, it’s a huge transition. There’s a real feeling of sadness for me. ‘Where did all my buddies go?’ ‘Where are my friends?'”
When Rolling Stone brought up the curse, Louis-Dreyfus added: “It was invented by the media. They thought it was clever. You don’t need me to prove it wrong,...
“I think any time a project ends, it’s gutting for me,” Louis-Dreyfus said. “And that’s true of movies and TV shows. There is a focus and a camaraderie that’s very much present when you’re working hard on a project that you believe in, and when the circus leaves town, it’s a huge transition. There’s a real feeling of sadness for me. ‘Where did all my buddies go?’ ‘Where are my friends?'”
When Rolling Stone brought up the curse, Louis-Dreyfus added: “It was invented by the media. They thought it was clever. You don’t need me to prove it wrong,...
- 5/10/2023
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
CBS’s hit series The Waltons told the story of a tight-knit family making do during the Great Depression. The show, which premiered in 1972 and ran until 1981, was based on creator Earl Hamner Jr.’s experiences growing up in rural Virginia in the 1930s. It made stars out of its cast, including Michael Learned, who played family matriarch Olivia Walton, and Richard Thomas, who portrayed the eldest Walton son, John-Boy. But what have Learned, Thomas, and the rest of cast been up to since the show ended? Keep reading for an update on the surviving Waltons cast members and what they doing now.
Michael Learned recently appeared in ‘Dahmer’ on Netflix Michael Learned | CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images;Paul Archuleta/Getty Images
Michael Learned was acting in a play in San Francisco when she landed the role of Olivia Walton in The Waltons. After leaving the show, she went on...
Michael Learned recently appeared in ‘Dahmer’ on Netflix Michael Learned | CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images;Paul Archuleta/Getty Images
Michael Learned was acting in a play in San Francisco when she landed the role of Olivia Walton in The Waltons. After leaving the show, she went on...
- 4/22/2023
- by Megan Elliott
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Many celebrities got their start on NBC’s Saturday Night Live. Some may not remember, but both Eddie Murphy and Julia Louis-Dreyfuss were once cast members on the late-night comedy skit show. The two now star together in the Netflix movie You People.
The last time Murphy and Louis-Dreyfuss were seen on-screen together was in 1984, during Murphy’s final season on SNL.
What is ‘You People’?
You People is a romantic comedy released on Netflix January 27, 2023.
The film is directed by Kenya Barris (creator of Black-ish), who is also a co-writer along with Jonah Hill.
Hill also stars as Ezra Cohen, a Jewish guy who falls in love with the woman of his dreams, Amira Mohammad (played by Lauren London), who happens to be black. The couple become engaged, and cultures clash when they meet each other’s families.
Amira’s parents are played by Eddie Murphy and Nia Long,...
The last time Murphy and Louis-Dreyfuss were seen on-screen together was in 1984, during Murphy’s final season on SNL.
What is ‘You People’?
You People is a romantic comedy released on Netflix January 27, 2023.
The film is directed by Kenya Barris (creator of Black-ish), who is also a co-writer along with Jonah Hill.
Hill also stars as Ezra Cohen, a Jewish guy who falls in love with the woman of his dreams, Amira Mohammad (played by Lauren London), who happens to be black. The couple become engaged, and cultures clash when they meet each other’s families.
Amira’s parents are played by Eddie Murphy and Nia Long,...
- 1/27/2023
- by Stacy Feintuch
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Hey, "Jimmy Kimmel Live" fans. Tonight, January 24, 2023, another new episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live will be hitting the air. So, we've got another preview to run by you guys. It looks like tonight's episode will be very actor-centric. All we're seeing on the guest list is actors. We're not seeing any musicians like we usually do. Anyways, the first description lets us know that 62 year old actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus is going to show up to talk with Jimmy at some point. Her resume is quite long and impressive. She's been involved in productions like: Black Panther: Marvel's Wakanda Forever movie, Marvel's Black Widow movie, Marvel's The Falcon and the Winter Soldier TV show, Veep, 30 Rock, The New Adventures O fOld Christine TV show, Curb Your Enthusiam TV show, The Simpsons TV show, Saturday Night Live TV show, Seinfeld TV show, Family Ties TV show, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and much more.
- 1/24/2023
- by Andre Braddox
- OnTheFlix
“One thing I love about Marvel is it gives you all the tools to make everything happen,” reveals Camille Friend, hair department head on “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” For our recent webchat she adds, “they didn’t say, ‘oh Camille, we want it to look like this.’ They were like, ‘here is the movie, you create, you design, you dream.’ And so when you give me that, that’s when you’re gonna get the best out of me. When you allow me to have the open slate and the open world.” We talked with Friend as part of Gold Derby’s special “Meet the Experts” Q&a event with 2023 Oscar contenders. Watch our exclusive video interview above.
See dozens of interviews with 2023 awards contenders
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is the sequel to the 2018 Oscar-winning Marvel blockbuster “Black Panther,” directed by Ryan Coogler, who co-wrote the screenplay with Joe Robert Cole.
See dozens of interviews with 2023 awards contenders
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is the sequel to the 2018 Oscar-winning Marvel blockbuster “Black Panther,” directed by Ryan Coogler, who co-wrote the screenplay with Joe Robert Cole.
- 1/11/2023
- by Rob Licuria
- Gold Derby
HBO Max may (hopefully) be done randomly pulling original series from the service, but there are still a number of TV shows and films due to leave HBO Max in January as part of the regularly scheduled shuffling.
Multiple seasons of “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” will leave HBO Max on Jan. 3, so get those final binge-watches in Asap. And the beloved WB series “Everwood” is due to depart on Jan. 21 if you feel like seeing what young Chris Pratt was up to in the early 2000s.
In terms of movies leaving HBO Max, there are quite a lot. “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” turns into a ghost on Jan. 20, while Jon M. Chu’s delightful musical “In the Heights” leaves on Jan. 27.
Noteworthy films leaving HBO Max on Jan. 31 include the first three “John Wick” movies, the first three “Jurassic Park” films, the first two installments in the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise,...
Multiple seasons of “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” will leave HBO Max on Jan. 3, so get those final binge-watches in Asap. And the beloved WB series “Everwood” is due to depart on Jan. 21 if you feel like seeing what young Chris Pratt was up to in the early 2000s.
In terms of movies leaving HBO Max, there are quite a lot. “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” turns into a ghost on Jan. 20, while Jon M. Chu’s delightful musical “In the Heights” leaves on Jan. 27.
Noteworthy films leaving HBO Max on Jan. 31 include the first three “John Wick” movies, the first three “Jurassic Park” films, the first two installments in the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise,...
- 1/2/2023
- by Adam Chitwood
- The Wrap
Julia Louis-Dreyfus can extend her own SAG Awards record with a ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ win
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has experienced a series of creative highs (“WandaVision”) and narrative lows (2021’s “Eternals”) throughout Phase Four, but the “Black Panther” (2018) sequel “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” has to be considered a triumph.
Ryan Coogler, who directed the movie and co-wrote the script with Joe Robert Cole, had the unfortunate and unenviable task of resetting the popular franchise in the wake of the untimely death of star Chadwick Boseman in 2020. The result is a film that is probably too long (it is not alone), but one that is also deeply moving as it honors Boseman’s T’Challa and sets up his sister, Shuri (Letitia Wright), to be the new Black Panther. Danai Gurira and Angela Bassett give strong, emotional performances as Okoye and Queen Ramonda, respectively, as Wakanda faces a threat from Namor (Tenoch Huerta Mejía) and the ancient underwater civilization of Talokan. To cut through the overall heaviness of the narrative,...
Ryan Coogler, who directed the movie and co-wrote the script with Joe Robert Cole, had the unfortunate and unenviable task of resetting the popular franchise in the wake of the untimely death of star Chadwick Boseman in 2020. The result is a film that is probably too long (it is not alone), but one that is also deeply moving as it honors Boseman’s T’Challa and sets up his sister, Shuri (Letitia Wright), to be the new Black Panther. Danai Gurira and Angela Bassett give strong, emotional performances as Okoye and Queen Ramonda, respectively, as Wakanda faces a threat from Namor (Tenoch Huerta Mejía) and the ancient underwater civilization of Talokan. To cut through the overall heaviness of the narrative,...
- 12/13/2022
- by Kaitlin Thomas
- Gold Derby
Exclusive: Tom Papa is taking his stand up back to Netflix.
The comedian has set his second Netflix special – Tom Papa: What A Day! The show, which was filmed this fall at the Wilbur Theater in Boston, will premiere on December 13.
The special will see Papa share the highs and lows of parenting, his reliance on modern technology, rescuing his pet pug, and how his marriage has evolved over time.
It is directed by Greg Jacobs and exec produced by Papa, Brian Volk-Weiss and Cisco Henson.
It is Papa’s second Netflix special after You’re Doing Great!, which premiered at the beginning of 2020. Papa’s other specials have included Live In New York and Freaked Out, both directed by Rob Zombie.
Papa also hosts a radio show with Fortune Feimster – What A Joke with Papa and Fortune – on Netflix Is A Joke Radio on Sirius Xm.
It comes ahead...
The comedian has set his second Netflix special – Tom Papa: What A Day! The show, which was filmed this fall at the Wilbur Theater in Boston, will premiere on December 13.
The special will see Papa share the highs and lows of parenting, his reliance on modern technology, rescuing his pet pug, and how his marriage has evolved over time.
It is directed by Greg Jacobs and exec produced by Papa, Brian Volk-Weiss and Cisco Henson.
It is Papa’s second Netflix special after You’re Doing Great!, which premiered at the beginning of 2020. Papa’s other specials have included Live In New York and Freaked Out, both directed by Rob Zombie.
Papa also hosts a radio show with Fortune Feimster – What A Joke with Papa and Fortune – on Netflix Is A Joke Radio on Sirius Xm.
It comes ahead...
- 11/14/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The New Adventures of Old Christine is a television sitcom that aired on CBS from 2006 to 2010. The show revolves around the titular character, a divorced mother who owns a women’s gym. Christine is constantly trying to balance her personal and professional life, while also dealing with her ex-husband and his new wife, whom Christine nicknamed “the new Christine.” The show was created by Kari Lizer and starred Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Christine. The series ran for five seasons on CBS and aired its final episode in 2010. Although it was never a ratings powerhouse, The New Adventures of Old
Whatever Happened To The Cast Of “The New Adventures of Old Christine”...
Whatever Happened To The Cast Of “The New Adventures of Old Christine”...
- 7/19/2022
- by A.E. Oats
- TVovermind.com
It was a good night for “Modern Family,” “Homeland” and PBS and the start of an impressive streak for a favorite comedienne, while a drama’s winning streak came to a screeching halt. Jimmy Kimmel helmed the 64th Primetime Emmys on ABC on September 23, 2012, his first time hosting this awards show. Read on for our Emmys flashback 10 years ago to 2012.
“Modern Family” reigned over the Emmys in its first few years, claiming Best Comedy for each of its first five seasons, from 2010-2014. A decade ago, it was in the middle of this streak, not only winning in this category, but tying for most nominations (nine) and wins (four) of the night. The other five nominees in this category were “30 Rock,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Girls” and “Veep,” which did score a major victory.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus started her six-year winning streak for Best Comedy Actress for...
“Modern Family” reigned over the Emmys in its first few years, claiming Best Comedy for each of its first five seasons, from 2010-2014. A decade ago, it was in the middle of this streak, not only winning in this category, but tying for most nominations (nine) and wins (four) of the night. The other five nominees in this category were “30 Rock,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Girls” and “Veep,” which did score a major victory.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus started her six-year winning streak for Best Comedy Actress for...
- 7/10/2022
- by Susan Pennington
- Gold Derby
Of the 25 Emmy categories currently available to predict in Gold Derby’s predictions center, only one contender has the unanimous support of all 17 of our Experts: Jean Smart (“Hacks”) for Best Comedy Actress. That, folks, is what we call a landslide.
If Smart wins again for her role as legendary stand-up comedian Deborah Vance on the HBO Max comedy series, she would become the first person since Julia Louis-Dreyfus (“Veep”) to claim consecutive victories in the category. Jld would go on to win six acting trophies in a row between 2012 and 2017, in addition to her three producing triumphs for “Veep” and her acting wins for “Seinfeld” and “The New Adventures of Old Christine.” Smart currently has four career Emmys on her mantel for “Hacks,” “Samantha Who?” and “Frasier” (twice).
SEEJean Smart (‘Hacks’) on ‘twists and turns’ for Deborah on the road in Season 2 [Exclusive Video Interview]
Gold Derby’s 17 Emmy Experts from major...
If Smart wins again for her role as legendary stand-up comedian Deborah Vance on the HBO Max comedy series, she would become the first person since Julia Louis-Dreyfus (“Veep”) to claim consecutive victories in the category. Jld would go on to win six acting trophies in a row between 2012 and 2017, in addition to her three producing triumphs for “Veep” and her acting wins for “Seinfeld” and “The New Adventures of Old Christine.” Smart currently has four career Emmys on her mantel for “Hacks,” “Samantha Who?” and “Frasier” (twice).
SEEJean Smart (‘Hacks’) on ‘twists and turns’ for Deborah on the road in Season 2 [Exclusive Video Interview]
Gold Derby’s 17 Emmy Experts from major...
- 6/24/2022
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Monsters can be literal or metaphorical, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find which are which in the anthology horror series “Monsterland.”
“Monsterland” is a Hulu original horror anthology released on October 2, 2020. “Monsterland” doesn’t feature monsters in the traditional sense. There is no vicious monster on the loose killing people. Though the atmosphere is eerie, the series doesn’t rely on jump scares to deliver horror.
Instead, “Monsterland” will slowly inject horror into your mind and leave you unsettled for hours after. What’s “Monsterland” all about, and where can you watch it? Read on to find out.
Where Can You Watch “Monsterland?”
The series is absent from the big networks, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, because Hulu has decided to keep “Monsterland” exclusive to its network. You can watch it with any Hulu plan.
What Is “Monsterland” About?
Instead of making your heart pump faster, “Monsterland” puts you into existential dread.
“Monsterland” is a Hulu original horror anthology released on October 2, 2020. “Monsterland” doesn’t feature monsters in the traditional sense. There is no vicious monster on the loose killing people. Though the atmosphere is eerie, the series doesn’t rely on jump scares to deliver horror.
Instead, “Monsterland” will slowly inject horror into your mind and leave you unsettled for hours after. What’s “Monsterland” all about, and where can you watch it? Read on to find out.
Where Can You Watch “Monsterland?”
The series is absent from the big networks, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, because Hulu has decided to keep “Monsterland” exclusive to its network. You can watch it with any Hulu plan.
What Is “Monsterland” About?
Instead of making your heart pump faster, “Monsterland” puts you into existential dread.
- 6/16/2022
- by Buddy TV
- buddytv.com
Jean Smart (‘Hacks’) would be first repeat Emmy winner in Comedy Actress category since you-know-who
If Jean Smart (“Hacks”) claims another Emmy Award this year, as Gold Derby’s racetrack odds overwhelming predict will happen, she would be the first repeat Emmy winner in the Best Comedy Actress category since … do we even need to say it? You likely already know that Julia Louis-Dreyfus (“Veep”) was the last person to claim back-to-back victories in this race. In fact, Jld won six in a row between 2012 and 2017, a record for any acting category at the Emmys.
Taking the “Veep” star out of the equation for a moment, you have to go all the way back to Patricia Heaton (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) in 2000 and 2001 to find a repeat champion in Best Comedy Actress. In between now and then, there were 13 leading ladies who took home one and only one trophy in this category — see the list below. But Smart has an upper hand on all of those other one-timers because she just.
Taking the “Veep” star out of the equation for a moment, you have to go all the way back to Patricia Heaton (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) in 2000 and 2001 to find a repeat champion in Best Comedy Actress. In between now and then, there were 13 leading ladies who took home one and only one trophy in this category — see the list below. But Smart has an upper hand on all of those other one-timers because she just.
- 6/14/2022
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
According to Gold Derby’s combined predictions, Emmys history is about to be made in the top five comedy categories. Throughout the first 73 years of Primetime Emmy ceremonies, the categories of Best Comedy Series, Best Comedy Actress, Best Comedy Actor, Best Comedy Supporting Actress and Best Comedy Supporting Actor have never repeated exactly from one year to the next. Until now? Remember, last year Apple TV Plus’ “Ted Lasso” took four of those trophies, while HBO Max’s “Hacks” claimed the fifth (lead actress). Now our current racetrack odds predict the 2022 Emmys will give viewers a major case of deja vu.
“Ted Lasso” is hoping to become the first show since “Veep” to win back-to-back statuettes for Comedy Series, and the first since “Modern Family” to prevail specifically for Season 1 and Season 2. The uplifting series follows the quirky AFC Richmond soccer team in their quest to be taken seriously in the English Premier League.
“Ted Lasso” is hoping to become the first show since “Veep” to win back-to-back statuettes for Comedy Series, and the first since “Modern Family” to prevail specifically for Season 1 and Season 2. The uplifting series follows the quirky AFC Richmond soccer team in their quest to be taken seriously in the English Premier League.
- 5/13/2022
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
File this one under “you just can’t please everybody.” In our recent 2022 Oscars host poll results that asked viewers to name their favorite emcee of the controversial ceremony, comedy legend Wanda Sykes nabbed the most votes at 19%. It was actually a pretty close vote between the three co-hosts, as Amy Schumer scored 18% and Regina Hall earned 14%. However, almost a third of all poll respondents — 32% to be specific — claimed that “none of them” were their favorite. Ouch! The remaining 17% of voters were non-committal and called it a three-way tie.
Here are the complete poll results in list form:
32% — Ugh — none of them!
19% — Wanda Sykes
18% — Amy Schumer
17% — It’s a three-way tie!
14% — Regina Hall
SEEWatch Will Smith win Best Actor Oscar, apologize for altercation with Chris Rock
After going host-less for three broadcasts in a row, the 94th Academy Awards bucked that trend by letting three funny ladies grace the stage...
Here are the complete poll results in list form:
32% — Ugh — none of them!
19% — Wanda Sykes
18% — Amy Schumer
17% — It’s a three-way tie!
14% — Regina Hall
SEEWatch Will Smith win Best Actor Oscar, apologize for altercation with Chris Rock
After going host-less for three broadcasts in a row, the 94th Academy Awards bucked that trend by letting three funny ladies grace the stage...
- 3/28/2022
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
If you missed having an Oscars hosts for the past three years, you’ll just love the 94th Academy Awards. The 2022 edition of these kudos will have not one, not two, but three hosts emceeing the ABC broadcast on March 27. Comedy legend Wanda Sykes will be joined by Regina Hall and Amy Schumer for the proceedings, making it the first time in Oscars history that three funny ladies have graced the stage together. In this article, we’ll fill you in on everything to know about Oscars host Wanda Sykes before the ceremony begins at 8 p.m. Et/5 p.m. Pt on Sunday night.
Who is Wanda Sykes?
Born in Virginia on March 7, 1964, Sykes moved to Maryland when she was eight years old. After graduating college, she worked as a contracting specialist at the National Security Agency, which lasted about five years. In her early 20s, Sykes started a stand-up comedy career in Washington,...
Who is Wanda Sykes?
Born in Virginia on March 7, 1964, Sykes moved to Maryland when she was eight years old. After graduating college, she worked as a contracting specialist at the National Security Agency, which lasted about five years. In her early 20s, Sykes started a stand-up comedy career in Washington,...
- 3/27/2022
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
After going without a host at the 93rd annual Academy Awards in 2021, as well as during the Oscars ceremonies in 2020 and 2019, this year’s big movie night is swinging things in the other direction. Three individuals are set to share hosting duties for the 94th Academy Awards on March 27: Wanda Sykes, Regina Hall, and Amy Schumer have all been tapped to steward the event.
Perhaps in an effort to increase fledgling ratings, the three women will also have a prime platform to entertain audiences both inside of the Dolby Theatre and at home by showcasing their distinctive comedy chops. While the Oscars routinely go back to the well with multi-time hosts like Billy Crystal and Jimmy Kimmel, this will be the first opportunity for all three women, and it will be exciting to see how the multi-tiered, fresh approach works.
For anyone who may be unfamiliar with our masters of ceremonies,...
Perhaps in an effort to increase fledgling ratings, the three women will also have a prime platform to entertain audiences both inside of the Dolby Theatre and at home by showcasing their distinctive comedy chops. While the Oscars routinely go back to the well with multi-time hosts like Billy Crystal and Jimmy Kimmel, this will be the first opportunity for all three women, and it will be exciting to see how the multi-tiered, fresh approach works.
For anyone who may be unfamiliar with our masters of ceremonies,...
- 3/27/2022
- by Nick Harley
- Den of Geek
Wanda Sykes has a very specific memory of hosting the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in 2009. “I shushed the first lady,” Sykes tells me, laughing. “I was sitting next to Michelle Obama and going over my notes, and she was trying to make conversation. I’m looking over my cards and I gave her like a look like, ‘Uhhh, don’t you see I’m working? Stop talking.’ ”
She tells this story to prove that she won’t be intimidated by the star wattage in the Dolby Theatre on March 27 when she makes her Academy Awards hosting debut alongside Amy Schumer and Regina Hall. “I don’t think I’ll get star-struck because I’m working,” she says. “When I’m focused and there to do a job, it’s all about getting the work done.”
It all began for Sykes 35 years ago when she was just 23 and performed her first...
She tells this story to prove that she won’t be intimidated by the star wattage in the Dolby Theatre on March 27 when she makes her Academy Awards hosting debut alongside Amy Schumer and Regina Hall. “I don’t think I’ll get star-struck because I’m working,” she says. “When I’m focused and there to do a job, it’s all about getting the work done.”
It all began for Sykes 35 years ago when she was just 23 and performed her first...
- 3/22/2022
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
Universal Content Productions, a division of Unversal Studio Group, is expanding its executive leadership team, with the hire of Rebecca Franko and Kenny Tsai as SVPs, Current Programming.
Former Spoondolie Productions’ development exec Franko, and Tsai, formerly with Universal Television, will manage day-to-day current series across cable and streaming platforms for the studio. They will both work with development on series pick-ups, serve as a liaison between production and other studio departments, manage up-and-coming writers for the studio, and build and maintain industry relationships. Franko will oversee Joe vs. Carole, Ted, Gaslit and more. Tsai’s projects include Queer as Folk, The Umbrella Academy, Chucky, among others. They report to JoAnn Alfano, EVP, Scripted Current Series and Head of International Business Development.
“We are thrilled to welcome Rebecca and Kenny to the team to help guide UCP’s growing slate of premium programming,” said Alfano. “Our impressive slate requires equally impressive executives.
Former Spoondolie Productions’ development exec Franko, and Tsai, formerly with Universal Television, will manage day-to-day current series across cable and streaming platforms for the studio. They will both work with development on series pick-ups, serve as a liaison between production and other studio departments, manage up-and-coming writers for the studio, and build and maintain industry relationships. Franko will oversee Joe vs. Carole, Ted, Gaslit and more. Tsai’s projects include Queer as Folk, The Umbrella Academy, Chucky, among others. They report to JoAnn Alfano, EVP, Scripted Current Series and Head of International Business Development.
“We are thrilled to welcome Rebecca and Kenny to the team to help guide UCP’s growing slate of premium programming,” said Alfano. “Our impressive slate requires equally impressive executives.
- 2/15/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Rebecca Franko and Kenny Tsai have been named senior vice presidents of current programming at Universal Studio Group’s Universal Content Productions (UCP).
In these newly created roles, Franko and Tsai will manage day-to-day current series across cable and streaming platforms for the studio, per UCP. They will both work closely with development on series pick-ups, serve as a liaison between production and other studio departments, manage up-and-coming writers for the studio and build and maintain industry relationships.
Franko will oversee the shows “Joe vs. Carole,” “Ted,” “Gaslit” and more. Tsai’s series include “Queer as Folk,” “The Umbrella Academy,” “Chucky,” among others. The duo will report directly to JoAnn Alfano, executive vice president of scripted current series and head of international business development.
“We are thrilled to welcome Rebecca and Kenny to the team to help guide UCP’s growing slate of premium programming,” Alfano said. “Our impressive slate requires equally impressive executives.
In these newly created roles, Franko and Tsai will manage day-to-day current series across cable and streaming platforms for the studio, per UCP. They will both work closely with development on series pick-ups, serve as a liaison between production and other studio departments, manage up-and-coming writers for the studio and build and maintain industry relationships.
Franko will oversee the shows “Joe vs. Carole,” “Ted,” “Gaslit” and more. Tsai’s series include “Queer as Folk,” “The Umbrella Academy,” “Chucky,” among others. The duo will report directly to JoAnn Alfano, executive vice president of scripted current series and head of international business development.
“We are thrilled to welcome Rebecca and Kenny to the team to help guide UCP’s growing slate of premium programming,” Alfano said. “Our impressive slate requires equally impressive executives.
- 2/15/2022
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
Amy Schumer, Regina Hall and Wanda Sykes are finalizing details to host this year’s Academy Awards, multiple sources told Variety.
The three comic forces appear to be the only emcees in the mix for the March awards show, despite several scenarios that telecast creatives have been weighing. Producer Will Packer has been in meetings for weeks trying to find the right recipe for Hollywood’s biggest night.
Scenarios that “Girls Trip” filmmaker Packer had been toying with included a three-act structure, which would showcase a different pair of emcees every hour. A laundry list of top talent has met with Packer over the past weeks, including “Mad Men” star Jon Hamm who exited talks over the weekend, according to two additional sources.
ABC, which airs the annual show, declined to comment on the matter. The hosts will be formally announced on “Good Morning America” on Tuesday. Reps for Sykes,...
The three comic forces appear to be the only emcees in the mix for the March awards show, despite several scenarios that telecast creatives have been weighing. Producer Will Packer has been in meetings for weeks trying to find the right recipe for Hollywood’s biggest night.
Scenarios that “Girls Trip” filmmaker Packer had been toying with included a three-act structure, which would showcase a different pair of emcees every hour. A laundry list of top talent has met with Packer over the past weeks, including “Mad Men” star Jon Hamm who exited talks over the weekend, according to two additional sources.
ABC, which airs the annual show, declined to comment on the matter. The hosts will be formally announced on “Good Morning America” on Tuesday. Reps for Sykes,...
- 2/14/2022
- by Marc Malkin, Matt Donnelly and Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
A24 acquired U.S. rights to Nicole Holofcener’s new comedy “Beth & Don,” starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, at AFM.
Last week, Variety exclusively revealed that Louis-Dreyfus and Holofcener would reunite for the movie after their 2013 hit “Enough Said.”
Louis-Dreyfus stars as Beth, a New York novelist in an unbelievably happy marriage to Don, who loves her and supports her in every way. According to the official longline, the film’s plot kicks off when, one day, Beth overhears Don admitting that he hasn’t liked her writing in years and it threatens to undo all that’s good in their lives. Written and directed by Holofcener, “Beth & Don” is set to begin shooting in early 2022.
The 11-time Emmy winner will also produce the film alongside Likely Story’s Anthony Bregman and Stefanie Azpiazu, who produced “Enough Said” and are longtime collaborators with both Holofcener and Louis-Dreyfus.
UTA Independent Film Group negotiated the sale of the U.
Last week, Variety exclusively revealed that Louis-Dreyfus and Holofcener would reunite for the movie after their 2013 hit “Enough Said.”
Louis-Dreyfus stars as Beth, a New York novelist in an unbelievably happy marriage to Don, who loves her and supports her in every way. According to the official longline, the film’s plot kicks off when, one day, Beth overhears Don admitting that he hasn’t liked her writing in years and it threatens to undo all that’s good in their lives. Written and directed by Holofcener, “Beth & Don” is set to begin shooting in early 2022.
The 11-time Emmy winner will also produce the film alongside Likely Story’s Anthony Bregman and Stefanie Azpiazu, who produced “Enough Said” and are longtime collaborators with both Holofcener and Louis-Dreyfus.
UTA Independent Film Group negotiated the sale of the U.
- 11/5/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
“History of the World, Part I” is finally getting a Part II, with Hulu ordering a variety series followup to the classic Mel Brooks comedy film, Variety has learned exclusively.
“History of the World, Part II” is described as a sequel to the 1981 film. The film was made up of segments set during different periods of world history. Among those was the Stone Age, Ancient Rome, and the French Revolution. Like most of Brooks’ work, it also featured musical numbers, including one about the Spanish Inquisition and, of course, “Jews in Space.”
Brooks is a writer and executive producer on the series along with Nick Kroll, Wanda Sykes, Ike Barinholtz, David Stassen and Kevin Salter. There is no word yet on which world events the series will cover. Hulu has ordered eight episodes of the show. The writers room is beginning in October with production slated to begin in Spring...
“History of the World, Part II” is described as a sequel to the 1981 film. The film was made up of segments set during different periods of world history. Among those was the Stone Age, Ancient Rome, and the French Revolution. Like most of Brooks’ work, it also featured musical numbers, including one about the Spanish Inquisition and, of course, “Jews in Space.”
Brooks is a writer and executive producer on the series along with Nick Kroll, Wanda Sykes, Ike Barinholtz, David Stassen and Kevin Salter. There is no word yet on which world events the series will cover. Hulu has ordered eight episodes of the show. The writers room is beginning in October with production slated to begin in Spring...
- 10/18/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Crockett Island is a tiny, isolated community where residents cling to their faith in God, their reliance on the commercial fishing industry or a combination of the two. This sleepy enclave is where Midnight Mass, Mike Flanagan’s latest Netflix series, takes place — and even before the horror shenanigans get started, there’s a lot that’s scary about the place.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. In Episode 1, we’re introduced to Crockett Island via the return of Riley Flynn (played by Friday Night Lights‘ Zach Gilford). Riley grew up there but fled as soon as possible, eventually...
But I’m getting ahead of myself. In Episode 1, we’re introduced to Crockett Island via the return of Riley Flynn (played by Friday Night Lights‘ Zach Gilford). Riley grew up there but fled as soon as possible, eventually...
- 9/24/2021
- by Kimberly Roots
- TVLine.com
If you find yourself thinking ‘where have I seen that guy before?’ while watching a Mike Flanagan show or film, the answer may well be ‘in another Mike Flanagan show or film’. The horror writer-director is known for his rep company of actors, many of whom appear in multiple roles across various projects. Below is a spoiler-free rundown of the main players in the Flanagan gang’s new Netflix horror series Midnight Mass, about the ripples caused by the arrival of a mysterious priest in a remote North American island community. There’s also info on who they played in past collaborations, and a few other places you may have encountered them on screen. A good handful will additionally be seen in Flanagan’s next series The Midnight Club, on which filming is already complete, and which will be coming to Netflix next year. But first though, welcome to Crockett Island.
- 9/23/2021
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Exclusive: Hamish Linklater is the latest addition to Dead for a Dollar, the Western that Walter Hill helmed for Quiver Distribution, which has wrapped production in New Mexico.
He joins a cast that includes Academy Award winner Christoph Waltz, Academy Award nominee Willem Dafoe, Emmy and SAG Award winner Rachel Brosnahan, SAG Award winner Benjamin Bratt, Brandon Scott and Warren Burke.
Dead for a Dollar follows a famed bounty hunter (Waltz) who runs into his sworn enemy (Dafoe), a professional gambler and outlaw that he had sent to prison years before, while on a mission to find and return the wife (Brosnahan) of a successful businessman who is being held hostage in Mexico. Standing in the way is an infamous gangster (Bratt) who gets a piece of any action that happens along the Mexican border.
Berry Meyerowitz, Neil Dunn, Carolyn McMaster and Kirk D’Amico are...
He joins a cast that includes Academy Award winner Christoph Waltz, Academy Award nominee Willem Dafoe, Emmy and SAG Award winner Rachel Brosnahan, SAG Award winner Benjamin Bratt, Brandon Scott and Warren Burke.
Dead for a Dollar follows a famed bounty hunter (Waltz) who runs into his sworn enemy (Dafoe), a professional gambler and outlaw that he had sent to prison years before, while on a mission to find and return the wife (Brosnahan) of a successful businessman who is being held hostage in Mexico. Standing in the way is an infamous gangster (Bratt) who gets a piece of any action that happens along the Mexican border.
Berry Meyerowitz, Neil Dunn, Carolyn McMaster and Kirk D’Amico are...
- 9/21/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Last Year’s Winner: Catherine O’Hara, “Schitt’s Creek”
Still Eligible: No.
Hot Streak: It may seem like only yesterday, but it’s been four years now since Julia Louis-Dreyfus won her sixth straight Emmy Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series, all of which were bestowed for her work on “Veep.” Since then, three different actors have won — Rachel Brosnahan for “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” Phoebe Waller-Bridge for “Fleabag,” and Catherine O’Hara for “Schitt’s Creek.” With O’Hara ineligible in 2021, there will be a new victor for the fourth consecutive Emmy season.
Fun Fact: Of the 15 TV shows to win multiple times in the Best Actress in a Comedy category, only three crowned more than one performer: Shelly Long and Kirstie Alley both won for “Cheers,” Ruth Gordon and Carol Kane won for “Taxi,” and three of the “Golden Girls” took home the Lead Actress trophy: Betty White,...
Still Eligible: No.
Hot Streak: It may seem like only yesterday, but it’s been four years now since Julia Louis-Dreyfus won her sixth straight Emmy Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series, all of which were bestowed for her work on “Veep.” Since then, three different actors have won — Rachel Brosnahan for “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” Phoebe Waller-Bridge for “Fleabag,” and Catherine O’Hara for “Schitt’s Creek.” With O’Hara ineligible in 2021, there will be a new victor for the fourth consecutive Emmy season.
Fun Fact: Of the 15 TV shows to win multiple times in the Best Actress in a Comedy category, only three crowned more than one performer: Shelly Long and Kirstie Alley both won for “Cheers,” Ruth Gordon and Carol Kane won for “Taxi,” and three of the “Golden Girls” took home the Lead Actress trophy: Betty White,...
- 9/13/2021
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
Prepare your confessions: Midnight Mass will commence on Friday, Sept. 24, Netflix announced Monday.
The streamer also released a teaser trailer — see video at the top of this post — and some first look photos from the drama created and directed by Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor).
More from TVLineCatherine Zeta-Jones to Play Morticia in Netflix's Wednesday Addams SeriesNetflix Renews The Circle (for Seasons 4 and 5), Indian Matchmaking and MoreHit & Run Season 1 Finale Recap: Beware of Jackals at Night, and Where Is [Spoiler]? -- Plus, Grade It!
The seven-episode limited series is set on Crockett Island, a tiny,...
The streamer also released a teaser trailer — see video at the top of this post — and some first look photos from the drama created and directed by Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor).
More from TVLineCatherine Zeta-Jones to Play Morticia in Netflix's Wednesday Addams SeriesNetflix Renews The Circle (for Seasons 4 and 5), Indian Matchmaking and MoreHit & Run Season 1 Finale Recap: Beware of Jackals at Night, and Where Is [Spoiler]? -- Plus, Grade It!
The seven-episode limited series is set on Crockett Island, a tiny,...
- 8/9/2021
- by Kimberly Roots
- TVLine.com
Exclusive: Longtime ABC Studios/ABC Signature development executive Lisa Lang McMullen is leaving Disney after 12 years for Netflix, where she will serve as Director on the Drama Development team run by Jinny Howe.
Lang McMullen, who has two decades of both drama and comedy multi-platform development experience, is transitioning to Netflix after spending a significant portion of the past four years working on streaming projects.
In December 2017, Lang McMullen was named VP Creative for then-abc Studios’ cable/streaming division ABC Signature, where she helped shepherd Godfather of Harlem for Epix; High Fidelity, Dollface and Little Fires Everywhere for Hulu; and The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers for Disney+.
After the 2020 consolidation of ABC Signature and ABC Studios, Lang McMullen joined the Drama team and most recently worked on the upcoming Apple TV+ limited series Five Days at Memorial, The Devil in the White City for Hulu, the Beauty and the Beast...
Lang McMullen, who has two decades of both drama and comedy multi-platform development experience, is transitioning to Netflix after spending a significant portion of the past four years working on streaming projects.
In December 2017, Lang McMullen was named VP Creative for then-abc Studios’ cable/streaming division ABC Signature, where she helped shepherd Godfather of Harlem for Epix; High Fidelity, Dollface and Little Fires Everywhere for Hulu; and The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers for Disney+.
After the 2020 consolidation of ABC Signature and ABC Studios, Lang McMullen joined the Drama team and most recently worked on the upcoming Apple TV+ limited series Five Days at Memorial, The Devil in the White City for Hulu, the Beauty and the Beast...
- 7/23/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Wanda Sykes is lawyering up for a recurring role on The Good Fight: The actress/comedian will appear in Season 5 of the Paramount+ series as Allegra Durado, “a brilliant, strategic attorney who’s been away from the law for 10 years while trying to finish her white whale of a book,” our sister site Deadline reports.
“Our holy grail of casting is always to find dramatic actors who can also deliver the comedy, and that pretty much defines Wanda,” creators Robert and Michelle King told the site. “We couldn’t feel more fortunate to be working with her.”
More from...
“Our holy grail of casting is always to find dramatic actors who can also deliver the comedy, and that pretty much defines Wanda,” creators Robert and Michelle King told the site. “We couldn’t feel more fortunate to be working with her.”
More from...
- 6/22/2021
- by Vlada Gelman
- TVLine.com
ABC placed five titles on the chopping block on Friday. Among the five were Kyra Sedgwick-starrer Call Your Mother and the Nicholas Pinnock-fronted legal drama For Life.
The two stars shared their reactions on social media Friday following the news.
Sedgwick broke the news that the sitcom, from Kari Lizer, will not return to ABC for a sophomore season on Twitter. In the same tweet, she thanked the series’ fan base and alerted them that the upcoming episode will be its last.
“You guys have been so wonderful to tune in every week, or every other week or every took weeks,” she said. “The rollout was nuts!”
Written and executive produced by The New Adventures of Old Christine creator Lizer, Call Your Mother centers on an empty-nester mom, Jean Raines (Sedgwick), who wonders how she ended up alone while her children live their best lives thousands of miles away.
The two stars shared their reactions on social media Friday following the news.
Sedgwick broke the news that the sitcom, from Kari Lizer, will not return to ABC for a sophomore season on Twitter. In the same tweet, she thanked the series’ fan base and alerted them that the upcoming episode will be its last.
“You guys have been so wonderful to tune in every week, or every other week or every took weeks,” she said. “The rollout was nuts!”
Written and executive produced by The New Adventures of Old Christine creator Lizer, Call Your Mother centers on an empty-nester mom, Jean Raines (Sedgwick), who wonders how she ended up alone while her children live their best lives thousands of miles away.
- 5/14/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
“Call Your Mother,” starring Kyra Sedgwick, Rachel Sennott and Joey Bragg, will not get a sophomore season. ABC has pulled the plug on the multi-cam family sitcom, which debuted this past January. It was created and executive produced by Kari Lizer, who is best known for creating and executive producing “The New Adventures of Old Christine” for CBS.
Sedgwick made the announcement Friday on social media. “Before it goes out there in the world I want my fans to be the first to know that next Wednesday will be the last episode of ‘Call Your Mother,'” she wrote on Twitter. “You guys have been so wonderful to tune in every week, or every other week or every two weeks! The rollout was nuts!”
The show centers on Midwestern empty-nester Jean Raines (Sedgwick), who wonders how she ended up alone while her children live their best lives thousands of miles away in Los Angeles.
Sedgwick made the announcement Friday on social media. “Before it goes out there in the world I want my fans to be the first to know that next Wednesday will be the last episode of ‘Call Your Mother,'” she wrote on Twitter. “You guys have been so wonderful to tune in every week, or every other week or every two weeks! The rollout was nuts!”
The show centers on Midwestern empty-nester Jean Raines (Sedgwick), who wonders how she ended up alone while her children live their best lives thousands of miles away in Los Angeles.
- 5/14/2021
- by Mónica Marie Zorrilla
- Variety Film + TV
Unlike at the Emmys and most other TV awards shows, the Screen Actors Guild does not have separate categories for starring and featured roles (it does make this distinction on the film side). That means featured players may be pittted against the stars of their shows.
The 2021 SAG nominees for Best TV Comedy Actress are Christina Applegate (“Dead to Me”), Linda Cardellini (“Dead to Me”), Kaley Cuoco (“The Flight Attendant”), Annie Murphy (“Schitt’s Creek”), and Catherine O’Hara (“Schitt’s Creek”). Our odds have O’Hara (16/5) favored to win the prize, followed in order by Cuoco (19/5), Applegate (9/2), Murphy (9/2), and Cardellini (9/2).
This year’s nominees have all been recognized by SAG at least once before, but none has ever won. They are all also in contention for this year’s Best Ensemble prize, which Murphy and O’Hara jointly vied for last year but lost to the cast of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
The 2021 SAG nominees for Best TV Comedy Actress are Christina Applegate (“Dead to Me”), Linda Cardellini (“Dead to Me”), Kaley Cuoco (“The Flight Attendant”), Annie Murphy (“Schitt’s Creek”), and Catherine O’Hara (“Schitt’s Creek”). Our odds have O’Hara (16/5) favored to win the prize, followed in order by Cuoco (19/5), Applegate (9/2), Murphy (9/2), and Cardellini (9/2).
This year’s nominees have all been recognized by SAG at least once before, but none has ever won. They are all also in contention for this year’s Best Ensemble prize, which Murphy and O’Hara jointly vied for last year but lost to the cast of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
- 3/30/2021
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
The opening moments of Tell Me Your Secrets, Amazon’s new thriller starring Lily Rabe (The Undoing) and Amy Brenneman (The Leftovers), set up everything you need to know about the series: Rabe’s Karen can’t remember whether or not she took part in murders perpetrated by her serial killer boyfriend, and Brenneman’s Mary refuses to believe that Karen doesn’t know something about the mysterious disappearance of her daughter, Theresa.
“Can you really not remember?” Mary asks, starting to cry as she sits on the visitors’ side of a plexiglass divider at the state prison. “Please tell me the truth.
“Can you really not remember?” Mary asks, starting to cry as she sits on the visitors’ side of a plexiglass divider at the state prison. “Please tell me the truth.
- 2/19/2021
- by Kimberly Roots
- TVLine.com
Utopia has released the first trailer for “Shiva Baby,” an absurd Jewish comedy about a college student who runs into both her sugar daddy and her ex-girlfriend at a family funeral. “Shiva Baby” marks the feature directorial debut of writer/director Emma Seligman, who developed the feature from a short by the same name, which was her NYU thesis film. “Shiva Baby” premiered at the 2020 SXSW Film Festival to largely positive reviews, including by this critic, who wrote: “Bearing a likeness to the early work of Jill Soloway and Jennifer Westfeldt, “Shiva Baby” blends a claustrophobic Jewish humor with a sexy premise to deliver a lively debut.”
“Shiva Baby” follows chaotic bisexual Danielle (comedian Rachel Sennott), who arrives late to a Jewish funeral, also called a shiva, after a stressful morning trying to extract payment from her sugar daddy Max (Danny Deferrari). Polly Draper and Fred Melamed are pitch perfect as Danielle’s parents,...
“Shiva Baby” follows chaotic bisexual Danielle (comedian Rachel Sennott), who arrives late to a Jewish funeral, also called a shiva, after a stressful morning trying to extract payment from her sugar daddy Max (Danny Deferrari). Polly Draper and Fred Melamed are pitch perfect as Danielle’s parents,...
- 2/19/2021
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Tell Me Your Secrets isn’t just the title for Amazon’s latest thriller: It’s also amantra that’s likely running through the minds of all of the series’ major characters throughout Season 1.
There’s Mary, played by The Leftovers‘ Amy Brenneman, a traumatized mom who desperately wants to know the whereabouts of her long-missing daughter. There’s John (The New Adventures of Old Christine‘s Hamish Linklater), a serial predator who takes a job that capitalizes on his criminal past.
More from TVLineInvincible: Robert Kirkman's Amazon Adaptation Gets a Full, Super TrailerDonald Glover Signs Huge Amazon Deal: What's This Mean for Atlanta?...
There’s Mary, played by The Leftovers‘ Amy Brenneman, a traumatized mom who desperately wants to know the whereabouts of her long-missing daughter. There’s John (The New Adventures of Old Christine‘s Hamish Linklater), a serial predator who takes a job that capitalizes on his criminal past.
More from TVLineInvincible: Robert Kirkman's Amazon Adaptation Gets a Full, Super TrailerDonald Glover Signs Huge Amazon Deal: What's This Mean for Atlanta?...
- 2/18/2021
- by Kimberly Roots
- TVLine.com
With just over 70 features, this year’s Sundance Film Festival was smaller than usual, but not any quieter. While Park City was dormant as most audiences viewed the lineup online, the movies drove plenty of buzz. Few titles entered the festival with distribution, and studios begged off the usual tendency to use the festival as a marketing launch pad. Instead, Sundance retained one crucial aspect of its DNA above all: The breakouts.
Ever since it came to prominence more than 30 years ago, Sundance has been a platform for discovering new talent, from distinctive filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino and Ryan Coogler to acting discoveries like Parker Posey and Tessa Thompson. This time around, there were no shortage of discoveries, in addition to established talents moving into exciting new career phases. Here are the highlights.
Christian Blauvelt, Jude Dry, David Ehrlich, Kate Erbland, and Tambay Obenson contributed to this article.
Jerrod Carmichael...
Ever since it came to prominence more than 30 years ago, Sundance has been a platform for discovering new talent, from distinctive filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino and Ryan Coogler to acting discoveries like Parker Posey and Tessa Thompson. This time around, there were no shortage of discoveries, in addition to established talents moving into exciting new career phases. Here are the highlights.
Christian Blauvelt, Jude Dry, David Ehrlich, Kate Erbland, and Tambay Obenson contributed to this article.
Jerrod Carmichael...
- 2/2/2021
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Cloris Leachman, who won a record eight Emmys across seven categories plus a Daytime Emmy, died on January 27 at the age of 94. In a business that favors the young, she came into her prime when she was already in her forties. Leachman earned the first of her 22 Emmy nominations for her scene-stealing work on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” in 1972, just weeks after winning the supporting actress Oscar for “The Last Picture Show.”
While she lost that first Emmy race to her on-screen nemesis Valerie Harper as well as Sally Struthers (“All in the Family”) she was back the following year and won lead actress in a telefilm. Since then, she has shown what a utility player she is with those eight Primetime Emmy wins spread across seven categories. (Julia Louis-Dreyfus equalled that record haul with single wins for “Seinfeld” and “The New Adventures of Old Christine” and six for “Veep.
While she lost that first Emmy race to her on-screen nemesis Valerie Harper as well as Sally Struthers (“All in the Family”) she was back the following year and won lead actress in a telefilm. Since then, she has shown what a utility player she is with those eight Primetime Emmy wins spread across seven categories. (Julia Louis-Dreyfus equalled that record haul with single wins for “Seinfeld” and “The New Adventures of Old Christine” and six for “Veep.
- 1/27/2021
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Perhaps it’s because the present moment is so unsettled that “Call Your Mother,” ABC’s new sitcom from “The New Adventures of Old Christine” creator Kari Lizer, manages to feel in its pilot episode more comforting than it otherwise might. The series, about an overbearing mom (Kyra Sedgwick) barging in on the lives of her two children (Joey Bragg and Rachel Sennott), hits in its pilot episode — the only one made available to critics — notes that are alternately too familiar or jarring for the wrong reasons. The show has a pleasant warmth, but it seems to have too little of a sense about what within it works to find its footing.
Sedgwick’s Jean Raines, in the first episode’s early going, ditches Iowa in favor of Los Angeles as a way of dropping in on her son Freddie, who hasn’t picked up the phone for her in (gasp) four days.
Sedgwick’s Jean Raines, in the first episode’s early going, ditches Iowa in favor of Los Angeles as a way of dropping in on her son Freddie, who hasn’t picked up the phone for her in (gasp) four days.
- 1/13/2021
- by Daniel D'Addario
- Variety Film + TV
Call Your Mother creator Kari Lizer shared that the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has impacted her new ABC sitcom, starring Kyra Sedgwick, in more ways than one.
Written and executive produced by the New Adventures Of Old Christine creator, the new ABC comedy takes place in a world that’s survived the fatal Covid-19 pandemic, which in reality continues to rage across parts of the country. The sitcom’s characters walk freely around without masks or the need to social distance in this post-Covid world – a setting that came out of a desire for some normalcy, Lizer said.
“Covid is part of the world, we just had the decision to start the series after we were all quarantined and in masks because frankly, we had enough of that,” Lizer said during the panel.
Revolving, around Sedgwick’s single, empty nester, who travels across the country to reinsert herself into her children...
Written and executive produced by the New Adventures Of Old Christine creator, the new ABC comedy takes place in a world that’s survived the fatal Covid-19 pandemic, which in reality continues to rage across parts of the country. The sitcom’s characters walk freely around without masks or the need to social distance in this post-Covid world – a setting that came out of a desire for some normalcy, Lizer said.
“Covid is part of the world, we just had the decision to start the series after we were all quarantined and in masks because frankly, we had enough of that,” Lizer said during the panel.
Revolving, around Sedgwick’s single, empty nester, who travels across the country to reinsert herself into her children...
- 1/13/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Leon (The Temptations) is set for a recurring role opposite Kevin Bacon and Aldis Hodge on Season 2 of Showtime’s City On A Hill, currently in production. Created, written and executive produced by Chuck MacLean (Boston Strangler) and based on an original idea by Ben Affleck, City on a Hill is set in early 1990s Boston when the city was rife with violent criminals emboldened by local law enforcement agencies in which corruption and racism was the norm, until it suddenly all changed. The drama is a fictional account of what was called the “Boston Miracle.” Leon plays Reverend Isaiah Hughes, a spiritual adviser and activist with deep roots in his community. MacLean and Tom Fontana, who also serves as showrunner, executive produce with Jennifer Todd, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Michael Cuesta, Barry Levinson, Jorge Zamacona and consulting producer James Mangold. Bacon serves as co-executive producer. The role reunites Leon with Tom Fontana,...
- 12/14/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
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